Punjab brings acid cases under anti-terrorism act

First case tried awarded two death sentences, life imprisonment and Rs1.2 million.

LAHORE: In an effort to provide legal protection to women, the Punjab government has tightened the noose in acid-throwing cases.

A significant punishment – death sentence on two counts, life-time imprisonment and a fine of Rs1.2 million – was awarded to an accused who burnt his wife alive, a day after the Punjab government issued a notification in this regard.

The Punjab government has directed the police and prosecution departments that Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 be added in all cases regarding the throwing of acid, kerosene and petrol on women across the province and that such an offence should be tried exclusively in the anti-terrorism courts (ATC). The notification was issued by the Home Department on September 5. The Punjab government has finally made amendments to the laws, Jahangir said.

After obtaining approval from the provincial cabinet, the Home Department issued a notification in which cases of throwing acid, kerosene oil or petrol are brought under the fold of the act.

The recent judgment announced by ATC no 1 Faisalabad, in which the court awarded two time death sentence and life time imprisonment along with fine of Rs 1.2 million to the accused Gulzar Ahmad on charges of killing of his wife Ramzana Bibi, came on the heels of the new notification.

According to the contents of the case registered with the Faisalabad Police, Ramzana’s hands were tied by her husband before he threw kerosene on her and burnt her alive.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2012.